U.S. patent application number 11/335353 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for through-hull connector for boats.
Invention is credited to Oren Cotton.
Application Number | 20070163480 11/335353 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38261942 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070163480 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cotton; Oren |
July 19, 2007 |
Through-hull connector for boats
Abstract
A through-hull connector is used in connection with a hull of a
boat. The through-hull connector comprises a body extending between
opposite first and second ends, and having a central axis. The body
has an outside surface and a bore through it. Hose barbs are
provided for attaching a conduit to the second end. External
threads with a generally quadrilateral cross-section are provided
for fastening the through-hull connector to the boat hull. The
external threads on the body have a gap extending longitudinally
along the outside surface of the body, so as to lighten the
connector. A nut engages the external threads. A flange extends
outward from the body first end for seating against the hull outer
surface. The flange has an annular groove to retain sealant. A
notch extends transversely through the body adjacent the second
end. The notch engages a screwdriver to hold the body from
rotating.
Inventors: |
Cotton; Oren; (East Sound,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Andrew W. Ludy
17 Sherwood Way
Landing
NJ
07850
US
|
Family ID: |
38261942 |
Appl. No.: |
11/335353 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/197 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 2231/14 20130101;
B63B 13/02 20130101; B63B 2231/40 20130101; F16L 41/08 20130101;
B63B 2231/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/197 |
International
Class: |
B63B 13/00 20060101
B63B013/00 |
Claims
1. A through-hull connector for use in connection with a hull of a
boat, the hull having an outer surface and an inner surface, the
through-hull connector comprising: a body extending between
opposite first and second ends, the body having a central axis, the
body having an outside surface and a bore through the body from the
first end to the second end; attaching means for attaching a
conduit to the second end; and threaded fastening means for
fastening the through-hull connector to the boat hull, the threaded
fastening means having threads with a generally quadrilateral
cross-section.
2. The through-hull connector of claim 1, wherein the threaded
fastening means further comprises: external threads on the body,
the external threads having a gap extending longitudinally along
the outside surface of the body, so as to lighten the connector;
and a retaining member having internal threads adapted to engage
the external threads.
3. The through-hull connector of claim 1, further comprising a
flange extending outward from the body first end, the flange having
a first surface facing the first end and a second surface facing
the second end, the flange second surface being adapted for seating
against the hull outer surface.
4. The through-hull connector of claim 3, wherein the flange
further comprises an annular groove on the second surface of the
flange so as to retain sealant.
5. The through-hull connector of claim 1, further comprising a
flange extending outward from the body intermediate the first and
second ends, the flange having a first surface facing the first end
and a second surface facing the second end, the flange first
surface being adapted for seating against the hull inner
surface.
6. The through-hull connector of claim 5, wherein the flange
further comprises an annular groove on the first surface of the
flange so as to retain sealant.
7. The through-hull connector of claim 1, wherein the attaching
means further comprises at least one hose barb adjacent the body
second end.
8. The through-hull connector of claim 1, wherein the body further
comprises a notch extending transversely through the body adjacent
the second end, the notch being adapted to engage an elongated tool
so as to preclude rotation of the body during installation.
9. The through-hull connector of claim 1, wherein the body further
comprises a key in the bore of the body, the key being adapted to
engage a tool inserted in the bore so as to preclude rotation of
the body during installation.
10. The through-hull connector of claim 1, wherein the through-hull
connector is a casting, and is cast from a material selected from
the group consisting of: stainless steel; bronze; monel;
thermoplastic resin; and thermoset resin.
11. A through-hull connector for use in connection with a hull of a
boat, the hull having an outer surface and an inner surface, the
through-hull connector comprising: a body extending between
opposite first and second ends, the body having a central axis, the
body having an outside surface and a bore through the body from the
first end to the second end; attaching means for attaching a
conduit to the second end; and threaded fastening means for
fastening the through-hull connector to the boat hull, the threaded
fastening means including external threads on the body, the
external threads having a gap extending longitudinally along the
outside surface of the body, so as to lighten the connector.
12. The through-hull connector of claim 11, wherein the threaded
fastening means further comprises: the external threads having a
generally quadrilateral cross-section; and a retaining member
having internal threads adapted to engage the external threads.
13. The through-hull connector of claim 11, further comprising a
flange extending outward from the body first end, the flange having
a first surface facing the first end and a second surface facing
the second end, the flange second surface being adapted for seating
against the hull outer surface.
14. The through-hull connector of claim 13, wherein the flange
further comprises an annular groove on the second surface of the
flange so as to retain sealant.
15. The through-hull connector of claim 11, further comprising a
flange extending outward from the body intermediate the first and
second ends, the flange having a first surface facing the first end
and a second surface facing the second end, the flange first
surface being adapted for seating against the hull inner
surface.
16. The through-hull connector of claim 15, wherein the flange
further comprises an annular groove on the first surface of the
flange so as to retain sealant.
17. The through-hull connector of claim 11, wherein the attaching
means further comprises at least one hose barb adjacent the body
second end.
18. The through-hull connector of claim 11, wherein the body
further comprises a notch extending transversely through the body
adjacent the second end, the notch being adapted to engage an
elongated tool so as to preclude rotation of the body during
installation.
19. The through-hull connector of claim 11, wherein the body
further comprises a key in the bore of the body, the key being
adapted to engage a tool inserted in the bore so as to preclude
rotation of the body during installation.
20. The through-hull connector of claim 19, wherein the
through-hull connector is a casting, and is cast from a material
selected from the group consisting of: stainless steel; bronze;
monel; thermoplastic resin; and thermoset resin.
21. A through-hull connector for use in connection with a hull of a
boat, the hull having an outer surface and an inner surface, the
through-hull connector comprising: a circular cross-section body
extending between opposite first and second ends, the body having a
central axis, the body having an outside surface and a bore through
the body from the first end to the second end; external threads on
the body for fastening the through-hull connector to the boat hull,
the external threads having a gap extending longitudinally along
the outside surface of the body, so as to lighten the connector,
the external threads having a generally quadrilateral
cross-section; a retaining member having internal threads adapted
to engage the external threads; a flange extending outward from the
body first end and completely encircling the body first end, the
flange having a first surface facing the first end and a second
surface facing the second end, the flange second surface being
adapted for seating against the hull outer surface; and at least
one hose barb adjacent the body second end for attaching a conduit
to the second end, the body, the external threads, the flange, and
the hose barb being a unitary casting, and being cast from
stainless steel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to the field of through-hull
connectors for boats, and more particularly to a cast stainless
steel through-hull connector with square threads.
[0004] Through-hull connectors are commonly used on boats to direct
wastewater and effluent overboard, and as inlets and outlets for
engine cooling water. Commonly used materials for through-hull
connectors have been bronze, various plastics, and stainless steel.
The through-hull connectors typically have a flange disposed
against the outside of the hull, a threaded body passing through
the hull, and a flange nut tightened against the inside of the
hull. A gasket or bedding compound is employed to waterproof the
connection. The flange nut can be made of plastic or metal, but
plastic is far less expensive, and does not corrode or gall. The
threads on the body can be any shape, such as V form, buttress,
acme, or square threads. V threads tend to develop tangential or
hoop stresses in the nut as it is tightened, due to a radially
outward vector component of the axial force on the sloping thread.
In the case of a plastic nut with V threads, one mode of failure is
breaking under tensile stress. Another mode of failure is the nut
expanding under the hoop stress, and the female threads slipping
over the male threads. One way to preclude these failure modes is
to form the threads in a quadrilateral, preferably a square
section, thereby avoiding any radial vector component. Axial forces
only will then result from tightening the nut. External
quadrilateral threads, such as square and acme threads, are known
to be stronger than V threads. Furthermore, V threads are prone to
damage at the thread apex or crown, where the section becomes
thin.
[0005] Square threads can be machined, but heretofore have been
difficult to cast. This is because the mold must be opened
perpendicular to the axis of the part, and the opposite helix angle
on opposite sides of the thread tends to lock the mold halves
together. Splitting the mold in four directions is necessary in
this case.
[0006] Stainless steel is expensive, and some means of minimizing
the amount of material in the product would be advantageous. A
means of retaining the sealant or bedding compound between the
flange and the hull would also be desirable.
[0007] Through-hull connectors are known, and have taken a variety
of configurations in the past. Some examples of connectors in the
prior art are to be found in the following patents:
[0008] Green, U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,081; Green, U.S. Pat. No.
6,477,971; Shields, U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,867; Smith, U.S. Pat. No.
6,038,992; Gross, U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,339; Sharpe, U.S. Pat. No.
5,456,499; Meisenburg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,884; and DePersia, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,565,031; all show a circular fitting with a bore
completely through it. The inner end is adapted to accept a hose or
tube by means of hose barbs or threads. A flange on one end fits
against the hull outer or inner surface, in some cases with a
gasket. A nut on the opposite end tightens the fitting on
V-threads. None of these connectors discloses a square thread. None
shows any way of minimizing the material required. None displays
any structure for retaining sealant against the flange.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need to provide a through-hull
connector for boats that is made of stainless steel for strength,
long service life, and corrosion resistance.
[0010] There is a further need to provide a through-hull connector
of the type described and that employs quadrilateral threads for
strength, and to preclude hoop stresses and consequent failure of
the nut.
[0011] There is a still further need to provide a through-hull
connector of the type described and that will minimize the material
required for fabrication.
[0012] There is a yet further need to provide a through-hull
connector of the type described and that will retain sealant
between the flange and the hull.
[0013] There is another need to provide a through-hull connector of
the type described and that can be manufactured cost-effectively by
casting, in large quantities of high quality.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a through-hull connector for use in connection with a hull of a
boat. The through-hull connector comprises a body extending between
opposite first and second ends, and having a central axis. The body
has an outside surface and a bore through it. At least one hose
barb is provided for attaching a conduit to the second end.
[0015] External threads with a generally quadrilateral, and
preferably square, cross-section are provided for fastening the
through-hull connector to the boat hull. The external threads on
the body have a gap extending longitudinally along the outside
surface of the body, so as to lighten the connector and save
material. A flange nut engages the external threads.
[0016] A flange extends outward from the body first end for seating
against the hull outer surface. The flange has an annular groove to
retain sealant.
[0017] The body has a notch extending transversely through the body
adjacent the second end. The notch is adapted to engage an
elongated tool, such as a screwdriver or a drift pin, to hold the
body from rotating as the nut is turned during installation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0018] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be obtained from consideration of the following description in
conjunction with the drawing, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly perspective view of a
through-hull connector for boats, constructed in accordance with
the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the through-hull
connector of FIG. 1, taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the
through-hull connector of FIG. 1, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG.
2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the through-hull connector of
FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 5a is a close-up view of a thread of the through-hull
connector of FIG. 1, taken at detail 5 of FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 5b is a close-up view of yet another embodiment of the
thread of the through-hull connector of FIG. 1, taken at detail 5
of FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 5c is a close-up view of still another embodiment of
the thread of the through-hull connector of FIG. 1, taken at detail
5 of FIG. 3;
[0026] FIG. 5d is a close-up view of a further embodiment of the
thread of the through-hull connector of FIG. 1, taken at detail 5
of FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly perspective view of the
through-hull connector of FIG. 1, juxtaposed with the two halves of
the mold in which it was cast;
[0028] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of another
through-hull connector for boats, constructed in accordance with
the invention;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the
through-hull connector of FIG. 7, taken along lines 8-8 of FIG.
7;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the through-hull connector of
FIG. 7;
[0031] FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly perspective view of yet
another through-hull connector for boats, constructed in accordance
with the invention;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the
through-hull connector of FIG. 10, taken along lines 11-11 of FIG.
10; and
[0033] FIG. 12 is a top view of the through-hull connector of FIG.
10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Referring now to the drawing, and especially to FIGS. 1-6
thereof, a through-hull connector is shown at 20, and is for use in
connection with a hull of a boat (not shown), the hull having an
outer surface and an inner surface. The through-hull connector 20
comprises a body 22 extending between opposite first 24 and second
26 ends, and having a central axis. The body 22 has a circular
cross-section, an outside surface 28 and a bore 30 through the body
22 from the first end 24 to the second end 26. Threaded fastening
means is provided for fastening the through-hull connector 20 to
the boat hull. The fastening means has external threads 32 with a
generally quadrilateral cross-section, as shown in FIG. 5a as a
sharp-edged square thread 32a. FIG. 5b shows the same square thread
with radiused edges 32b. FIG. 5c illustrates an embodiment known as
an acme thread 32c. FIG. 5d depicts yet another embodiment, this
being a buttress thread 32d. While not explicitly rectangular, the
acme 32c and buttress 32d thread types are understood to be
generally quadrilateral in cross-section. A thread having a
cross-section with a sloping surface with respect to the central
axis will develop a radially outward vector component of the axial
force on the sloping thread surface, resulting in tangential or
hoop stresses in the nut as it is tightened. A thread having a
cross-section with a surface that is perpendicular, or nearly so,
with respect to the central axis, will develop little or no
radially outward forces on the nut. The advantage is that a plastic
nut can be used with a metal connector, with no danger of the
weaker component failing in a critical location, namely below the
waterline. This results in a substantial cost saving.
[0035] The external threads 32 on the body 22 have a discontinuity,
or gap 34, extending longitudinally along the outside surface 28 of
the body 22. Preferably, there are two such gaps 34, spaced apart
on opposite sides of the body 22. The gaps 34 save material and
lighten the connector, resulting in a further cost saving. Another
advantage of the gaps 34 is that when the connector 20 is
fabricated as a casting, a mold 29 comprising only two halves is
needed, as shown in FIG. 6. The ends of the thread segments 35 have
an angle .theta. in FIG. 4 of no more than 90.degree. with respect
to the mold parting line 33, and preferably less, to allow draft
for molding. The mold opens in the direction of arrows 31. In
contrast, continuous threads require a four-part mold to cast. A
retaining member, specifically a flange nut 36, engages the
external threads 32.
[0036] The body 22 has a notch 38 extending transversely through
the body 22 adjacent the second end 26, the notch 38 being adapted
to engage an elongated tool, such as a screwdriver or a drift pin
(not shown), so as to preclude rotation of the body 22 during
installation.
[0037] A flange 40 extends outward from the body first end 24 for
seating against the hull outer surface. The flange 40 has a first
surface 42 facing the first end 24 and a second surface 44 facing
the second end 26. The flange second surface 44 is adapted for
seating against the hull outer surface. The flange 40 has an
annular groove 46 on the second surface 44 to retain sealant.
[0038] Attaching means, specifically one or more hose barbs 48, is
provided for attaching a conduit (not shown) to the second end 26.
Other attaching means, such as threads, may be used.
[0039] The through-hull connector 20 is preferably a casting, and
is cast from a material selected from the group consisting of
stainless steel, bronze, monel, thermoplastic resin, and thermoset
resin. The preferred material is 316L stainless steel.
[0040] Turning now to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, another through-hull
connector is shown at 120, and is similar to through-hull connector
20 in that connector 120 comprises a body 122 extending between
opposite first 124 and second 126 ends, and having a central axis.
The body 122 has a circular cross-section, an outside surface 128
and a bore 130 through the body 122 from the first end 124 to the
second end 126. Threaded fastening means is provided for fastening
the through-hull connector 120 to the boat hull. The fastening
means has external threads 132 with a generally quadrilateral
cross-section. A flange nut (not shown), engages the external
threads 132.
[0041] A flange 140 extends outward from the body first end 124 for
seating against the hull outer surface. The flange 140 has a first
surface 142 facing the first end 124 and a second surface 144
facing the second end 126. The flange second surface 144 is adapted
for seating against the hull outer surface.
[0042] Attaching means, specifically one or more hose barbs 148, is
provided adjacent the second end 26.
[0043] Connector 120 differs from connector 20 in that the external
threads 132 on the body 122 are continuous and extend
longitudinally along. the outside surface 128 of the body 122.
There is no gap in the threads 132. The flange 140 has no annular
groove to retain sealant. The body 122 has a key 138 projecting
from the bore 130. The key 138 is adapted to engage a circular tool
with a keyway (not shown) so as to preclude rotation of the body
122 during installation.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, another embodiment of
the through-hull connector is shown at 220, and is similar to
through-hull connector 20 in that connector 220 comprises a body
222 extending between opposite first 224 and second 226 ends, and
having a central axis. The body 222 has a circular cross-section,
an outside surface 228 and a bore 230 through the body 222 from the
first end 224 to the second end 226. Threaded fastening means is
provided for fastening the through-hull connector 220 to the boat
hull. The fastening means has external threads 232 with a generally
quadrilateral cross-section. The external threads 232 on the body
222 have a discontinuity, or gap 234, extending longitudinally
along the outside surface 228 of the body 222. Preferably, there
are two such gaps 234, spaced apart on opposite sides of the body
222. A flange nut 236, engages the external threads 232.
[0045] The body 222 has a notch 238 extending transversely through
the body 222 adjacent the second end 226, the notch 238 being
adapted to engage an elongated tool, so as to preclude rotation of
the body 222 during installation.
[0046] Attaching means, specifically one or more hose barbs 248, is
provided adjacent the second end 226.
[0047] Connector 220 differs from connector 20 in that a flange 240
extends outward from the body 222 intermediate the first 224 and
second 226 ends. The flange 240 has a first surface 242 facing the
first end 224 and a second surface 244 facing the second end 226.
The flange first surface 242 is adapted for seating against the
hull inner surface. The flange 240 further comprises an annular
groove 246 on the first surface 242 of the flange so as to retain
sealant.
[0048] Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of
the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be
construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching
those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the
invention. Details of the structure may be varied substantially
without departing from the spirit of the invention and the
exclusive use of all modifications that will come within the scope
of the appended claims is reserved.
PARTS LIST
Through-Hull Connector for Boats
Part
No. Description
[0049] 20 through-hull connector [0050] 22 body [0051] 24 first end
[0052] 26 second end [0053] 28 outside surface [0054] 29 mold
[0055] 30 bore [0056] 31 mold opening arrows [0057] 32 external
threads [0058] 32a square thread [0059] 32b square thread radiused
[0060] 32c acme thread [0061] 32d buttress thread [0062] 33 mold
parting line [0063] 34 thread gap [0064] 35 ends of threads [0065]
36 flange nut [0066] 38 notch [0067] 40 flange [0068] 42 first
surface [0069] 44 second surface [0070] 46 annular groove [0071] 48
hose barbs [0072] 120 through-hull connector [0073] 122 body [0074]
124 first end [0075] 126 second end [0076] 128 outside surface
[0077] 130 bore [0078] 132 external threads [0079] 138 key [0080]
140 flange [0081] 142 first surface [0082] 144 second surface
[0083] 148 hose barbs [0084] 220 through-hull connector [0085] 222
body [0086] 224 first end [0087] 226 second end [0088] 228 outside
surface [0089] 230 bore [0090] 232 external threads [0091] 234
thread gap [0092] 235 ends of threads [0093] 236 flange nut [0094]
238 notch [0095] 240 flange [0096] 242 first surface [0097] 244
second surface [0098] 246 annular groove [0099] 248 hose barbs
* * * * *